The Under 16’s approached the new season with some confidence following on from last year when they were unbeaten and won the Irish Society Shield. The first league match this year was away to neighbours Coleraine College, a match Inst were hoping to win to get their league campaign off to a good start. Positional changes which were required just before the match because of  an injury to left-back Paul Mullins, who proved such a dependable and tough defender last year, meant Luke Bradley had to move into defence and Joel Bradley, making his debut on this team, had to move to left wing rather than play up front.

Inst had most of the play early on although it was the College who came closest to scoring when a pass right across the six yard box eluded defenders and attackers before becoming harmless. Mid-way through the half a corner from the College just crossed the line before being met by an Inst defender to give the College the lead. Two minutes before half-time Scott Clark equalised with a free kick which went in off the cross-bar.

In the second half Inst had slightly more of the play and most of the chances but failed to convert these into goals, the closest being a header which hit the post from captain Paul Milliken from an excellent free kick from Gary McKendry. The match finished shortly after that with the spoils shared.